The City Council of Forrest City, Arkansas, met in regular session on March 1, 2011. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Alderman Twillie opened the meeting in prayer. The following answered roll call: Mayor Bryant, Clerk Cochran, Attorney Cline, and City Council Members: Peacock, Jeffers, Hollowell, Breeding, Capps, Fields, Oswalt, and Twillie.

Alderman Fields made a motion to approve the minutes from the February 15, 2011 meeting. Second by Alderman Jeffers. Roll Call: All Ayes.

COMMITTEES

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Mayor Bryant stated there is no unfinished business.

NEW BUSINESS

Advisors & Committee Appointments
Joey Astin was reappointed to the Forrest City Civic Center Commission. Alderman Capps stated he was resigning from the Forrest City Planning Commission as chairman. He also said he had served 18 or 19 years and he has seen the city grow. Alderman Capps asked Mayor Bryant and the city council if they would approve Bryon Ponder as his replacement on the Forrest City Planning Commission. Mayor Bryant named L.P. Norment as his appointment to the Park and Recreation Commission. Alderman Capps made a motion to accept all three appointments. Second by Alderman Hollowell. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Tractor Bid Opening
There were three tractor bids opened:
Fiser Kubota of Alexander Arkansas $47,942.56 on a Kubota tractor
Twin City Tractor & Equipment, Inc. of Sherwood, Arkansas $46,093.62 on a New Holland tractor
Cox Implement Co., Inc. of Hoxie, Arkansas $50,807.78 on a Massey Ferguson tractor
Alderman Twillie made a motion to accept the lowest bid that meets the specifications. Second by Alderman Jeffers. Roll Call: All Ayes.

STREET FUND BILLS

Alderman Oswalt made a motion to pay street fund bills totaling $2,473.71. Second by Alderman Twillie. Roll Call: All Ayes.

GENERAL FUND BILLS

Alderman Breeding made a motion to pay general fund bills totaling $12,352.42. Second by Alderman Capps. Roll Call: All Ayes.

Alderman Breeding questioned why Kenny Long’s bill was not in with the invoices to be paid. Mayor Bryant said Mr. Long had to make some adjustment to his bill then it would be paid.

Announcements
Mayor Bryant announced that he received a letter from Craig Jones, County Assessor informing him that the anticipated property tax revenue for 2011 would be $594,000, with about $36,000 for each the fire and police department retirement fund and about $173,000 going to the library.

Mayor Bryant announced that he met with Sheriff May and they came to an agreement for the jail bill of $100,000 for the year. If the prison expense goes over the $100,000 the city would be charged $20.00 instead of $30.00 per day. He also said the jail bill was reduced from the previous agreement of $146,000. Alderman Twillie made a motion to accept the jail bill agreement. Second by Alderman Fields Roll Call: All Ayes.

Alderman Hollowell asked when the park committee was going to meet. Mayor Bryant said he would get with the park & recreation committee and advise them that they needed to set up a meeting date.

Alderman Twillie made a motion to adjourn at 6:11 p.m. Second by Alderman Fields.

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Larry S. Bryant, Mayor

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Derene Cochran, Clerk-Treasurer